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Ben Smith

A former financial analyst & auditor in retail banking, Ben is a columnist at RugbyPass specialising in opinion-based analysis, breaking down rugby as he sees it, to uncover what professional teams are trying to do around the world.

1411 Articles

Former England international commits to Hurricanes for another season

Hurricanes veteran and former England international loose forward Brad Shields has penned a new contract extension which will keep…

Ben Smith
Ben Smith
25 Mar 2026, 15:17
Opinion

The form All Blacks backline after six rounds of Super Rugby Pacific

If the All Blacks backline were named today based on Super Rugby Pacific form, it would look very different to the team that last …

Ben Smith
Ben Smith
25 Mar 2026, 14:21

All Black winger Emoni Narawa re-signs with NZR and Chiefs

It's the appeal of more caps with the All Blacks, as well as the chance to feature at the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia, that …

Ben Smith
Ben Smith
24 Mar 2026, 16:12

Everyone has the same fear about Rieko Ioane after latest Leinster showing

Star All Black midfielder Rieko Ioane has left fans alarmed after his latest showing for Leinster against Glasgow in the URC. 

Ben Smith
Ben Smith
23 Mar 2026, 13:57
Opinion

Moana vs Crusaders takes: A+ development on show, dark horse POTY candidate

It's starting to look ugly for Moana Pasifika after another heavy defeat, going down by 50-21 to the Crusaders in Albany on Saturd…

Ben Smith
Ben Smith
21 Mar 2026, 16:09
Opinion

Bye bye Chiefs, thanks for coming

Is it too early to write off the Chiefs after a catastrophic collapse in Canberra to the Brumbies? The perennial chokers who have …

Ben Smith
Ben Smith
20 Mar 2026, 18:00
Opinion

Highlanders vs Hurricanes takes: Roigard owns Fakatava, Canes silence doubters

The table-leading Hurricanes have cooked the Highlanders by 50-7 in a Dunedin demolition job, cementing their status as early seas…

Ben Smith
Ben Smith
20 Mar 2026, 1:37
Opinion

Why back-to-back France are so far behind the World Cup standard

France are rugby's new attacking juggernaut after completing back-to-back Six Nations titles since 2006-07, gorging on the defence…

Ben Smith
Ben Smith
14 Mar 2026, 18:36
Opinion

Chiefs vs Moana takes: McKenzie shows why No.1, Tupaea's concern

Although the Chiefs ran away with it comfortably by 57-24, they didn't have it all their way, with the class of Damian McKenzie an…

Ben Smith
Ben Smith
06 Mar 2026, 14:34
Opinion

Waratahs vs Hurricanes takes: Canes looked like champions, Proctor's night

This was going to be a title Test for the previously undefeated Waratahs but they were blown off the park in the second half as th…

Ben Smith
Ben Smith
06 Mar 2026, 2:39
Opinion

Chiefs vs Crusaders takes: Kemara comes of age, Chiefs in shock

The Crusaders produced a massive turnaround to beat title favourite Chiefs 43-33 in a thriller in Hamilton, registering their firs…

Ben Smith
Ben Smith
28 Feb 2026, 0:33
Opinion

Reds vs Highlanders takes: Wallaby wins 10 battle, Australia's best player

The Queensland Reds stamped their title credentials on Friday night with a 31-14 win over the Highlanders in Brisbane after coming…

Ben Smith
Ben Smith
27 Feb 2026, 14:16
Opinion

Blues vs Force takes: Blues identity crisis, find of the year

The Blues outlasted a resilient Western Force side in Perth to claim their first win of the season by 42-32 in a high-scoring cont…

Ben Smith
Ben Smith
21 Feb 2026, 14:12
Opinion

Highlanders vs Chiefs takes: Millar too vanilla, Chiefs too much power

After beating the Blues at Eden Park last week, the Chiefs travelled to Dunedin and managed to pull away in the second half 26-13 …

Ben Smith
Ben Smith
21 Feb 2026, 0:30
Opinion

Hurricanes vs Moana takes: Super Rugby's most undervalued, Warner Dearns verdict

The Hurricanes have blown Moana Pasifika off the park with a 38-12 victory in Wellington with five tries between the starting wing…

Ben Smith
Ben Smith
20 Feb 2026, 0:31
Opinion

Dalton Papalii's departure does hurt the All Blacks and this is why

Losing Papalii is another loose forward now ineligible for the All Blacks due to NZR's eligibility rules. The Blues openside joins…

Ben Smith
Ben Smith
18 Feb 2026, 13:36

Wallabies announce 2026 schedule as Perth the big winner

Reigning World Cup champions South Africa will return to Perth in 2026 to face the Wallabies as Rugby Australia finalised their 20…

Ben Smith
Ben Smith
16 Feb 2026, 14:32
Opinion

RugbyPass' Top 50 Players for Super Rugby Pacific 2026: 10-1

To celebrate the launch of the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season, RugbyPass has put together the inaugural top 50 list to predict th…

Ben Smith
Ben Smith
13 Feb 2026, 13:53
Opinion

RugbyPass' Top 50 Players for Super Rugby Pacific 2026: 20-11

To celebrate the launch of the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season, RugbyPass has put together the inaugural top 50 list to predict th…

Ben Smith
Ben Smith
12 Feb 2026, 13:12
Opinion

RugbyPass' Top 50 Players for Super Rugby Pacific 2026: 30-21

RugbyPass has put together the inaugural top 50 list to predict the best players in Super Rugby Pacific for the 2026 season.

Ben Smith
Ben Smith
11 Feb 2026, 12:13
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